Program Manager, Common Ground America

The Program Manager for Common Ground America has responsibility for leading the research, analysis, and design of programs; will coordinate execution to achieve the results, manage partnerships with diverse organizations and institutions; liaise with diverse portfolio of donors, spearhead the development and/or adaptation of training content, and promote innovations and institutional learning.

Scope of Position

Reports to: Executive Director, Common Ground America

Direct Reports: Project Managers, Coordinators of Initiatives

Working relationships: Program managers in regions; managers and associates in Global Affairs, Program Quality, and Institutional Learning.

Budget Managed:

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Responsibilities

• Coordinates start up processes.
• Manages the reporting process.
• Manages or supports donor communication.
• Monitors and enforces donor compliance.

Contributions

• Manages all internal and external reporting, ensuring high-quality, well-written, and timely reports meet donor and Search requirements. Ensures that draft reports disseminated for review and feedback by senior management team, relevant technical advisers, and HQ staff are of high quality and in compliance prior to submitting the final report to the donor.
• Liaises with donors and implementing partners regarding program implementation and compliance. This includes being one of the donor’s points of contact for Common Ground America.
• Orients relevant staff of all departments to donor requirements and works closely with all Search departments to comply with donor requirements.
• Oversees in selection process and due diligence of potential subaward partners.
• Analyzes the potential risks related to Common Ground America’s program implementation practices and articulates recommendations for mitigation of risks.
• Directly oversees the compliance of a strategic portfolio of grants, working in collaboration with the key stakeholders responsible for implementing these grants.
• Provides first level technical review of teaming agreements, subaward agreements, donor agreements and contracts to ascertain they are aligned to our internal policies and procedures and the deliverables are realistic.
• Monitors the program implementation and budget variance analysis of strategic grants to ensure objectives are met.
• Participates in reflection sessions and discussions on adaptation. Facilitates support for technical assistance where appropriate.
• Provides program-related capacity building for all Common Ground America program activities.
• When called upon, supports review of strategic proposals, budgets, and budget narrative to ensure completeness and compliance with stipulated donor rules and regulations.
• Coordinates with DME coordinators and the Institutional Learning Team to ensure lessons learnt and reflections are incorporated in program reports and action plans developed from these lessons. This reflects good practice in reflective practice and adaptive management.
• Supports the HR function in interviewing and scoring technical evaluations for Programs jobs.
• Is a member of a community of best practices to standardize existing tools and inform program implementation best practices.
• Oversees project amendments such as NCE and budget realignment in collaboration with program managers.
• Supports the development of Common Ground America OKRs and the iteration of the conflict geography strategy.
• Other duties that are broadly in line with the above key contributions as assigned.

Competency Behavior Indicators (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

• Manages overall strategy and vision. Provides functional and program/project management. Anticipates and plans for needs and takes action accordingly. Provides guidance to direct reports or matrixed team members.
• Develops and maintains collaborative relationships with vendors, organizations, professional associations, partners, funders, and Search’s network of experts critical to the area of purview.
• Modifies a planned course of action in response to new information or new circumstances.
• Responds to changing circumstances and expectations readily.
• Articulates Search/function program/project goals and objectives within and external to Search. Develops program objectives that reflect broader Search strategies and approaches.
• Provides input for standards across functions globally within Shared Services teams and with a view from a multicultural perspective that reflects consideration of other cultures, other viewpoints, and other ways of doing things.
• Overcomes obstacles using ethical practices; formulates and evaluates morally and ethically justified solutions.
• Assesses risks and opportunities to lead decision makers to a favorable outcome.
• Checks the accuracy of one’s own and others’ work and sets up systematic checks and balances to support content and data integrity.
• Has knowledge of project management tools including technology as resources for efficiency and reduction of stress.
• Works with employees to set and communicate performance standards that are specific and measurable.
• Anticipates the consequences of situations and plans accordingly.
• Analyzes the costs, benefits, risks, and chances for success in making a decision.
• Provides coaching and mentoring to staff.

Type and Nature of Contacts

• Routinely coordinates with colleagues and consultants on-site and in the field and resolves problem situations with tact.
• Represents, as assigned, selected programs or projects and other organizations, including donors, vendors, and international and local partners.
• Interacts with country office and regional staff.

Education and Experience

• BS/BA in a related field with minimum 9 or more years’ experience.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

• Usual office environment conditions

Supervisory and Budget Responsibility

• May supervise one or more staff members.